Image Credits: Imago Images
Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo has never pulled on a Liverpool shirt in a competitive game – but that did not stop one lucky fan in the USA from getting his Reds home kit signed by the Real Sociedad star.
Images shared on social media show the Japan international leaning over the barriers to autograph a Liverpool jersey while training at the team’s World Cup base camp site in Nashville, Tennessee:
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Liverpool’s links to Kubo stretch back several windows.
The Reds were reported to have made contact with Real Sociedad in early 2024 and again monitored his situation.
Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay later publicly played down talk of advanced negotiations, stressing that Kubo was “very happy” in San Sebastian and that there were “no negotiations with any team.”
Even so, speculation persisted, not least because the winger himself has previously spoken glowingly about Liverpool, calling them “the most interesting soccer team these days” and describing watching Jurgen Klopp’s side as making him think “what a great team.”
On the pitch, Kubo has just enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career. The 25-year-old helped Real Sociedad to a historic Copa del Rey triumph in April, coming off the bench in the final as La Real beat Atletico Madrid on penalties to lift the trophy.
It was the only second major honour of his career after winning the Europa League with Villareal in the 2020/21 season.
He left Real Madrid permanently in 2022 to establish himself in the Basque Country. Once a highly touted prospect shuttled around on loans from the Bernabeu, he has now found a home at Anoeta.
He is set to line up alongside Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo for the World Cup, who captains the national team. Japan face Netherlands on 14 June in Group F, before clashes against Tunisa (21 June) and Sweden (26 June).